Tips for Interviewing

[Jo]

There is a possibility that I will be interviewing an author in the not too distant future. I've already typed up a number of questions I'd like to ask, but this will be my first interview and I thought it would be an idea to ask if anyone has any tips?

To make this beneficial to everyone, I thought tips/advice could be given not just for author interviews, but for publishers and other book bloggers interviews as well.

For author interviewing, and my interview in particular, to get the questions I've thought up, I did some research. I googled other interviews with the author, to see what questions had been asked previously, and to pick up on things author has said in their answers. I've also checked out the author's website, to ask about hobbies, favourite authors, how they write, what's coming up, etc. I've also read the authors books, so I can ask specific plot questions.

Any other tips or advice? Would be much appreciated.

[Maw Books]

Whenever I do an author interview, I always do several things:

Subscribe to their blog and read all their back posts (easier to read it in Google Reader then on their site)

Read everything they have on their website.

Search my Google Reader to see if anybody else has done interviews. A lot of questions are inspired this way. You can build on previously asked questions, avoid the ones that are asked to much, and be inspired with your own.

Do a basic Google Search, follow links, etc.

Visit their page on their publisher's website.

If their on Twitter, go through their backstream. You can get a sense of their personality this way.

I have had several author's express to me that they can tell when an interviewer has not prepared well or has not even read their book. They appreciate those interviews that are not superficial but rather talk about the BOOK! Write down your thoughts and feelings while reading the book and build questions based upon that. The characters, the plot, theme, setting, etc. For an author to take the time out of their busy schedule to answer questions is marketing. So help them by asking questions that are pertinent.

You can make the interview fun and uniquely yours with the type of questions that you ask. I have a method for the type of questions I ask: talk about their current book (writing, plot, theme, etc.), some questions about back titles, questions about the author personally (how were they as a young reader, etc.), a recipe (something that is a question unique to my interviews), what they are reading now or books to recommend, and what they are working on now.

Every author is different and as such every interview will be different. If you've prepared well then it will show.

A tip: I have two text documents. One for my author interviews, the other for my blogger interviews. Whenever I am inspired or I see a question asked my somebody else that I like, I'll add the question to my file. Whenever I am stuck and need inspiration for a question then I'll just pull up the document and have a wealth of ideas at my disposal.

Also, as a personal preference, I like to have the author interview as a separate post then the book review. If it's a book review/author interview combo, I like to do two days of content. One full day for the book review, one full day for the interview. I like them to have the front page for as long as I can. Give them the face time that they deserve. Also, have it easy to find author interviews in your archives so others can easily find it again.

Good luck with your first interview! I have three that I'm supposed to send off within the next two days.

[Jo]

Thank you, you've given me a lot to think about, and a lot more to research. I love the idea of the text documents, I think I'll start doing that too! Cheers.

[Amy]

Oh my gosh!!! You put me to shame! How in the world do you have time for so much work!!!!!!

[Maw Books]

I have to admit that I do put a lot of time into author interviews. Sometimes it is disheartening because they are the least commented on posts but they are posts that I couldn't imagine not having! I love them!!

It does take me a long time to research and prepare questions. And then another hour just to format the post. But from the backend conversations that I'm having with these authors, it's worth it. Many have said there is nothing worse then being able to tell that the interviewer hasn't read their book or taken the time to get to know them. One author told me, "Thanks so much for reading my blog! I could tell that you took the time to get to know me!" Another simply told me, "I can tell you read my book." It does make a difference. The more that you put into it, the more the author will give back to you in interesting questions. If they can tell you don't care, they'll have a hard time caring as well.

As far as where do I get the time? Did you forget? I stay up way to late when I should be sleeping!

[Jen Forbus]

With my author interviews I always read something by the author first. I've been amazed at the number of authors who contact me and say, "I'd like to do an interview with you," and I've never even heard of the author before. I have to ask the author, not the other way around.

I do as much research as I can on the author: reading their website, other sites they've visited, recaps of events they've done, etc.

My questions usually fall into two categories: questions about their books and writing and questions about them personally. There are some questions that I end up asking most authors, but I also like to craft the question to the author. Find what makes the author unique and highlight it in at least one or two questions. I recently interviewed an author who was involved in martial arts and ghost hunting. I also interviewed an author who is a Master Gardener. And then I had a writing team who were once charged by an elephant. All those unique points can make the difference between a good interview and a great interview.

The other thing I try to do is craft questions that allow the author to take it whatever direction works best for him/her. The more open-ended, the better the responses, I've found.

Most importantly - HAVE FUN WITH IT!!

[Jo]

Thanks for the advice! I like the idea of finding out unique things about authors and incorporating that into the interview. Open-ended questions sound useful too. Cheers!

[chrisbookarama]

Glad you asked this question. I never know what to ask.

Great answer Natasha! I second the going to the author's blog. You can find lots of tidbits there.

Christina

[Jo]

Also, does anyone think there should be a range of how many questions you ask? You obviously don't want to ask too many as the authors are busy people, but you don't want to ask too few. What number do you normally aim for?

[Maw Books]

I think there can definitely be to many questions. I don't think I have a specific number but I tend to cut a lot of questions out after I've compiled the questions together. Editing is important. I'm not sure what my average number of questions is but I'd guess about 10-12. I don't know if that's to much or not.

1 introduction question
3-4 questions specifically about the book
1-2 questions on back list titles (if applicable)
1-2 questions on writing
1-2 questions about reading habits, recommendations, influences
1 recipe question (again a question that is uniquely mine - I think it's good to have a "trademark" question)
1-2 questions that are open
1 question about future books/projects

This is just off the top of my head. I'd be curious to go back and see if my interviews are really set up this way.

[Jo]

Thanks for the info! I'll look over my list and see what I've got and where I need to cut back. Questions specifically about the book I can't write yet. It's not guarunteed I'll get an ARC, though author is trying. If not, will have to wait until after the book is released. But it's great for a rough idea of how many questions I should be asking. Cheers!

[Suzanne Levin]

Thanks for the helpful outline! I am going to be doing my first author interview and am trying to prepare 'intelligent' questions! All the tips here and from others are so helpful!

Thank you!
Suzanne

[Maw Books]

I put a call out on Twitter for author responses. These are a few that I received back.

From @deberryandgrant: Your suggestions are spot on. Be prepared. Research author& book. Nothing feels worse than "Tell me what your new book's about."

From @kimbofo: One tip: Don't ask too many questions! I hate author interviews that go on and on forever.

From @johnmbaird: Two things: Know what ur going to say b4 the interview & make sure it's simple and interesting.

From @rushmarshalek: try to find common ground. see about veering more into personal. ask about other media-fave films, music, etc. get a whole person.

Great advice! I'll put another shout out tomorrow.